Effect of High versus Low Dairy Consumption on the Gut Microbiome: Results of a Randomized, Cross-Over Study.

J Casper Swarte,Shixian Hu,Coby Eelderink,M Yusof Said,Rianne M Douwes,Hermie J.M Harmsen,Stephan J.L Bakker,Adrian Post,Ralf Westerhuis

doi:10.3390/nu12072129

J Casper Swarte, Shixian Hu + Show 7 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12072129

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Abstract

The influence of dairy on the gut microbiome has not been studied extensively. We performed a randomized cross-over study to analyze the effect of high dairy intake on the gut microbiome. Subjects were randomly assigned to a high-dairy diet (HDD) (5–6 dairy portions per day) and a low-dairy diet (LDD) (≤1 dairy portion per day) for 6 weeks with a washout period of 4 weeks in between both diets. The gut microbiome was assessed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Compositionality and functionality of the gut microbiome was assessed using Quantitative Insights Into Microbial Ecology (QIIME) and Phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by Reconstruction of Unobserved States (PICRUSt). Stool consistency was evaluated using the Bristol stool chart. In total, 46 healthy overweight subjects (BMI range 25–30 kg/m2) completed both intervention periods. During the HDD, there was a significantly higher abundance of the genera Streptococcus, Leuconostoc, and Lactococcus, and the species Streptococcus thermophilus, Erysipelatoclostridium ramosum and Leuconostoc mesenteroides (pFDR < 0.10). Furthermore, during the HDD, there was a significantly lower abundance of the genera Faecalibacterium and Bilophila, and the species Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Clostridium aldenense, Acetivibrio ethanolgignens, Bilophila wadsworthia and Lactococcus lactis (pFDR < 0.10). There were eight subjects who became constipated during the HDD and these subjects all had a lower abundance of F. prausnitzii. This is the first cross-over study in which the effect of an HDD compared to an LDD on the gut microbiome has been studied. An HDD led to a significantly different composition of the gut microbiome, with a particularly lower abundance of F. prausnitzii and a higher abundance of S. thermophilus. Constipation was observed in several subjects during the HDD. Predicted metabolic pathways were not significantly altered due to an HDD.

Highlights

The gut microbiome is the largest community of microorganisms within the body
We explored the effect of high dairy consumption on the composition of the gut microbiome
Using 16S rRNA sequencing, we identified multiple bacterial species that were associated to dairy consumption

Summary

Introduction

The gut microbiome is the largest community of microorganisms within the body. Commensal bacteria co-exist with the host without harming them. Diet influences the composition of the gut microbiome and accounts for the high variation between individuals [2,3]. The composition of the gut microbiome is, strongly associated with long-term dietary patterns. The gut microbiome of individuals with a dietary intake based on animal protein and fat is dominated by Bacteroides, while a carbohydrate-based diet is dominated by Prevotella [4]. The gut microbiome of individuals with a vegan diet, which is completely free of meat, eggs, and dairy products, showed significantly lower levels of Bacteroides, Bifidobacterium and Enterobacteriaceae [5]. Even short-term changes in diet have been shown to rapidly change the gut microbiome, which occurs when subjects switch for five days between an herbivorous and a carnivorous diet: a carnivorous diet resulted in higher levels of Alistipes, Bilophila and Bacteroides, while an herbivorous diet led to higher levels of Roseburia, Eubacterium rectale and Ruminoccocus bromii [6]

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